The full moon will be in Pisces this Sunday, and we’re so ready to hand ourselves over to this ever-dreamy but determined and driven sign. It is no surprise that some of us are feeling a little spun out and weak at the knees after this summer’s whirlwind of retrograde activity, eclipses and super moons and blood moons, oh my. This summer, the cosmos called us to reflect and face ourselves directly, to go deep inside and allow whatever comes up to be acknowledged and recognized. We were given support from the universe to let go of everything that doesn’t serve us, as well as insight (if we were listening) to determine what we truly want in life, what our goals are and what needs to be done to achieve them.

The new moon in Leo brought on August 11th brought us the courageous and fierce energy of the lion, guiding us in setting our new lunar cycle intentions with precision and confidence. You may have felt a bit like a live wire over the past week or so, ready to jump in defence of yourself, fiercely protective of your beliefs, your morals and what you believe is true and right.

We can thank the Lion for helping us set our intentions during the new moon phase with clarity and pure strength in vision, while recognizing a need to take a break from being overt with our ideals and positions. The universe has heard your roar and now it’s time to give into the softer side of the Pisces.

Full Moon in Pisces August 26th: Surrender

With the full moon in Pisces, we are called to surrender our need to know all the answers about the future and take things as they come, giving into our capacity for trust; trust in ourselves, trust in others and trust in the universe. We may find ourselves to be grappling with issues or conflicts around how our quest for spirituality can live in harmony with our need for material items. This is represented in the sign for Pisces; two fish tied together but swimming opposite directions. One fish represents our spiritual side, the other represents our material side. When we find a way to let our two sides compliment each other, we can navigate the waters of life with greater ease.

Although we are reminded to find balance between our two sides, Pisces is a dreamy sign and one that tends to connect with the more spiritual aspects of life. This is why during a full moon in Pisces, we are invited to leverage this ability and go deep, to find connectivity with ourselves and others, as well as the divine. If you are interested in astrology, tarot or meditation, this full moon is an excellent time to put your interests into action.

It’s Time to Clean Your Closet

That said, a full moon in Pisces can bring up our emotions in a less than productive way. Make sure that you are not avoiding reality, overstepping boundaries or giving into self-indulgent behaviours. While Pisces is dreamy and content to swim along in a sea of dreams and emotions, this full moon will be opposite the sun in practical Virgo, bringing clarity to the situation. The sun in Virgo will help us sift through these emotions that come up during the full moon in Pisces and put them to practical use. Think of her like a practical and wise mother or grandmother who knows what you need in your messy closet and knows what you don’t. She’ll help you eliminate the clutter; in work, in relationships and inside your own mind.

The sun in Virgo also will remind our Pisces selves to take care of the trivia, the minutiae at home, at work and for our bodies. This full moon, make sure that your temples are in order; your living space and your beautiful, serving body. Put aside a day to clean out your apartment and book that doctor’s appointment you have been putting off.

Why?

The full moon in Pisces is opening the pathway to our next chapter. Like for real, if you have been putting in the work, it will start to pay off and you can’t have extra baggage holding you back as you embark on this next exciting chapter. You will be called to give into the unknown and trust the natural transitions. Don’t be afraid to say goodbye to things or people that have been dragging you down.

Listen

The most important part of a full moon in Pisces is to listen. Your capacity to connect to Spirit and the Divine will be running high this full moon so listen to what is coming through during moments of solitude and meditation. Set aside time to embrace the messages that are trying to come in as we head into what has the potential to be a very successful fall. This really is your time, you just need to believe it.

Mercury Retrograde Started July 26th, 2018 Ending August 18th, 2018

It’s no coincidence that the final days of Mercury Retrograde (ending on August 18th) coincide with a yin moon phase, and a Crescent Moon phase at that. Yin moon phases indicate that the energy offered from the moon serves us in a receptive manner, as opposed to a  yang phase which serves us in a active manner.

So what does this have to do with the current Mercury Retrograde we are presently experiencing? First thing’s first:

What Is Mercury Retrograde?

Four times a year, the planet Mercury is said to go into Retrograde, meaning that it appears to be moving in an opposite direction from the Earth. Simply put, planets move from east to west around the sun. Mercury in Retrograde refers to the four times a year when the planet moves from west to east around the sun, giving us on Earth the optical illusion that it is moving backwards.

Think about when you are driving on a highway and pass a car. The other car appears to be moving backwards, but it really is just moving slower than you. That other car is Mercury in this analogy.

What’s All The Hype About? 

Mercury is recognized as the messenger of the Gods and the planet of communication and logistics. On a modern-day level, this means that we can expect interference in our daily conversations, emails, travels or when we are making plans. It may feel as though we are talking to loved ones and co-workers through a thick static, where messages are getting caught or missed.

Technology and travel can be highly effected during this time. Think back to the start of this Mercury Retrograde (July 26th). Did you experience any issues with your travel and technology? Did your TV stop working for no reason? Did you pop a tire?

This, of course, can be frustrating and is why Mercury Retrograde gets a bad rap.

What’s Good, Though?

On a woo-woo level, it is said that when Mercury goes into retrograde, he travels deep into the underground of our psyches, opening up the pathway to our base-level human consciousness, offering insight into past experiences and helping us gather information for the next phase in our journeys. Because we move so fast, we rarely have a chance to stop and reflect on how our past stories are shaping our present lives and future experiences.

When Mercury goes into retrograde, we are forced to slow down. Technology and travel will push back, forcing us to go inwards for insight. Your phone’s not working? Take five to meditate and download information from your higher self. Bus is late? Embrace the opportunity for a long, head clearing walk.

Patience is a virtue during this time and one that will be greatly rewarded. When Mercury goes into retrograde, its a time for data-collecting and reflection. Time alone is essential during Mercury Retrograde. You may have tapped into to some key insights about your life direction or relationships during this time. Mercury has a lot to reveal to us, and when it goes into retrograde, we have a greater opportunity to listen.

Making the Most of these Last Few Days

It’s no secret that this has been a super charged summer, one that was extremely transformative, whether you realized it or not. Shifts happened this summer and we are all susceptible to them. We absolutely LOVE the fact that the last few days of the Mercury Retrograde fall in a receptive yin moon phase, the Crescent Moon phase, when are called to stop and breathe into our final intentions of the summer, allowing them to permeate our bodies and minds.

We are invited to take advantage over the next few days of the final insights Mercury can offer us in its last days in Retrograde. Because the planet is retrograding through the fire sign of Leo, we may feel an opposing pull to rush into action. But remember, even Lions know when to lay low and observe, calculating the jungle before making their next move. Lay low over the next few days. Meditate and reflect. And most importantly, listen. The universe has messages for you and Mercury wants to help you receive them.

Moon Cycle: August 11th – September 8th 

New Moon/Super Moon/Solar Eclipse: August 11th 

Keywords: A new you, the next phase, bravery, courage, time to shine, self-appreciation, royalty, strength, energy, family bonds

Phew! It has been one crazy summer full of powerful celestial phenomenons. High planetary retrograde activity, combined with a series of powerful eclipses, a Blood moon, Super moons and more. If you are feeling a tad shook from it all, it’s completely understandable. In fact, this moon cycle will finalize a highly transformative summer for most of us, whether we are aware of it or not. Shifts happened within ourselves and out in our physical realm. For example; did you get a new job or big client? book a trip? have a baby? undergo a friend-group turnover? All transformations, big or small, that occurred this summer will be showing up in different ways through to the end of the year.

While July’s moon cycle called in the introspective feels of Cancer, as we step into August’s new moon on Saturday the 11th, we are invited to channel the powerful energies surrounding the brave and courageous Leo, the Lion. It may almost feel as though we have rested and reflected these past few months, set down the ground work, and really felt our way around our new roles and selves. All the while we were strengthening the foundations of our stages to ensure they are solid and firm for the next great phase in our lives. We are now finally ready to let the world see us for who we are and show what we can do.

The Solar Eclipse

Saturday’s new moon will align with a solar eclipse, a brief moment of darkness were we can finalize our intentions regarding what we want to achieve between now and the end of the year. Make sure to find a quiet and reflective moment during the new moon phase to write these intentions down clearly. Tell the universe EXACTLY what you want. Even if it may seem like too much, set the intention, and write down clearly (i.e. I want to make $5000 more a month). The universe has plenty for everyone. Play close heed to the 8 moon phases this month. Each will be extremely important in guiding you through this Lion cycle with intention and purpose.

You’re Going to Hear Me Roar! But Carefully 

The most important thing to remember for this August moon cycle is to allow the Lion within to come out. While being humble is always important, we are invited to celebrate our unique virtues and strengths this month, putting them to good use in order to get what we truly want. Embrace and channel confidence. Believe in yourself and give yourself the royal treatment. Lions are regal and strong.

But remember, Mercury remains in retrograde until August 17th, so while we are encouraged to speak our truth, do so with caution. Communication can get messy during this time. Further to that, don’t confuse bravery and confidence with pride and boastfulness as it can lead to embarrassment or loss. Practice humility, embrace discussion and evaluate all your options carefully before marching on into judgement or action.

Now go get it, Simba!